WICHITA, Kan. (AP) _ Wichita police have started a criminal investigation after finding 31 cats dead in a house.

Deputy Chief Tom Stolz says the city's bomb squad and Hazmat crews helped clean the home where the cats and two flea-infested dogs were found on Saturday.

The owner of the home said the 69-year-old woman renting the home always found an excuse not to let him into the house but there were no obvious signs of trouble. The owner says he didn't know about the animals.

Police went to the home after being asked to check on the tenant, who hadn't been seen for more than a month. She was later found at a friend's house, where she was staying after being hospitalized

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